Abstract: To investigate the dynamic response of a variable cross-section projectile subjected to impact loading at its nose, based on the free-free beam and structural plasticity theories, a theoretical model and structural failure function with the coupling of axial force and bending moment considered were established for the conical projectiles. Then, by means of Abaqus/Explicit, finite element models were developed, and the dynamic responses of the projectiles under different impact loadings at the nose impacts were numerically simulated. The comparison between numerical results and theoretical predictions verified the rationality and accuracy of the proposed model. Based on the theoretical models, the influences of the parameters, such as the shape coefficient of the projectile head, semi-conic angle, diameter-to-thickness ratio, as well as the length-to-diameter ratio were analyzed. The results showed that the theoretical model could predict the internal force distribution and failure locations of the conical projectiles very well. The nose mass of the projectile mitigates the overall response magnitude but does not change the distribution of the internal forces, and this mitigation effect of nose mass is closely related to the mass proportion of the nose. When all other parameters are held constant, if the shape coefficient of the projectile head decreases, the semi-conic angle increases, the diameter-to-thickness ratio diminishes, or the length-to-diameter ratio rises, the mass proportion of the nose will decrease, leading to a weaker mitigation effect on the overall response magnitude. Furthermore, an increase in the semi-conic angle of the projectile induces a shift of the critical failure section toward the head, and an increase in the length-to-diameter ratio substantially diminishes the transverse bearing capacity of the projectile.